The Anxiety Hangover

Earlier this week, I shared about the “Pillowcase”—that heavy, invisible weight we carry—and the incredible moment where prayer shifted my physical pain instantly. But what happens when the “danger” starts to creep back into your shoulders a day later?Today, I’m getting raw about the “Anxiety Hangover.”I recorded this just two days after a major panic attack because I wanted to talk to you while I was still “in it.” When the crisis ends, we often expect to feel immediate relief, but instead, we feel crushed. We feel exhausted, our stomachs are in knots, and our muscles ache like we’ve run a marathon.In this Vault session, we’re breaking down the science of the aftermath:* The “Body Brace”: Why your shoulders and neck feel like lead today (it’s the physical cost of your body trying to be your hero).* The Gut-Brain Axis: Why your digestion is the first thing to react when your brain broadcasts a danger signal.* Amygdala “Warmth”: Why you feel emotionally raw and sensitive to light and noise even after the “threat” is gone.* The Chemical Smoke: Why these symptoms aren’t a new crisis, but simply the smoke left over after the fire has been put out.The Practice: We aren’t broken; we are just in recovery. Today, the work isn’t about “fixing” the exhaustion—it’s about leaning into it with curiosity. It’s about telling our nervous systems: I see you. I’m safe now. You can let the hands hang limp.If your body is screaming today after a hard week, this session is your permission to stop apologizing for being tired.The Weight of Stillness is a reader-supported ministry.There will never be a paywall blocking you from fullaccess to what God is teaching me as I embracestillness. But if you are led to donate to this ministryGod is birthing out of my journey, you can become apaid subscriber. Get full access to The Weight of Stillness at weightofstillness.substack.com/subscribe